BIG PHIL

We will lay Big Phil to rest today- there were close to 300 people at his viewing last night. He touched many lives. Of the many stories I have heard about his life, I think my favorite is about a quadriplegic he met many years ago. This man had been in a terrible accident as a logger, he had fallen from a tree and broken his back. He lived the rest of his life face down on a gurney. He had a special van, and loved to travel whenever he could get someone to drive him around. His nickname even became "Traveler". After Phil met him, they developed a special friendship, and Phil became his traveling companion. He drove Traveler everywhere he wanted to go. They lived in California, but would go even as far as Oregon, traveling many of the logging roads he remembered. I can imagine the time they spent together was a very happy time for both of them, as Phil's brothers and sisters who related this story told how much the two of them had laughed together sharing many hilarious experiences. What an adventure. This story is my favorite, because it depicts who Phil was. He truly cared about people and would give anything he had if somebody needed it. I personally was the recipient of many of his good deeds, as were many of you who were treated to a good southern cookout whenever you visited me. I only hope he sees how much he was loved, and how he touched us all.